PREVENTIVE SYSTEM
Don Bosco was a prolific author, but
he wrote very little about his own
educational style.
He said it was a matter of the heart, a
way of loving
But love alone was not enough.
He was adamant that the young
people in his care should not
only be loved but that they
should also know that they
were loved. Therefore, love
had to be given practical
expression
PREVENTIVE?
Rather than implying something negative to stop or hinder something - it expresses
the intention of foreseeing and forestalling
anything that would give rise to destructive
experiences. This is more clearly seen
when the derivation of 'preventive' is
understood. It derives from the Latin
praevenire:'to precede', 'to anticipate', 'to
go before’. It is a positive word.
FREEDOM
The preventive system challenges educators
to see and celebrate the goodness they
find in the young. It awakens creativity in
the adult to find new ways of developing
and celebrating the gifts they find in young
people. Respect for an inner freedom at
the heart of each person is central to the
preventive system.
THREE KEY WORDS FOR
DON BOSCO
The young person is drawn to goodness of
their own free choice through Kindness,
Reason and exploring the mystery of their
life as a Religious journey.
BASED ON THE GOSPEL
The practice of the Preventive System is based on
the words of St Paul: 'Love is patient and kind . it
is always ready to excuse, to hope, and to
endure whatever comes'." (Don Bosco, 1877).
This love, expressed in pastoral care, leads the
educator to love the young person in whatever
state they may be found, so as to lead them
towards the fullness of human living which is
modelled the Gospel.
REASON
In line with the optimistic humanism of St
Francis de Sales, the term "Reason" refers
to that whole range of activity which brings
people to life and safety. "Reason"
emphasises basic values such as the
freedom and dignity of the individual,
the primacy of conscience, the goodness
of creation and culture, and the value of
work and community living.
RELIGION
While reason refers to human activity and
human relationships, the second term of Don
Bosco's trilogy, "Religion", indicates that his
approach emerges from and is oriented
towards relationship with God. Don Bosco
did not make sharp distinctions between the
'sacred' and the 'secular,' but believed that
the human life could not reach its fulfilment
without a lived and lively spirituality based on
the Gospel.
KINDNESS
"Loving-kindness" is the most unique (perhaps, the
most misunderstood) element in Don Bosco's
system. Don Bosco used the Italian word
"amorevolezza." There is no English equivalent
for this word and it is often simply translated as
loving kindness. This can be misleading
because the concept describes an act of the
will, a choice to want the best for someone else.
It describes love as a choice rather than a
feeling.
Some Salesian Skills
Reason
Religion
Loving Kindness
Listening
Awareness of ones own spirituality
Cheerfulness
Thinking ahead and evaluating
later
Recognising the spiritual in the
lives of the young
Making the first move towards
others
Knowing the world of young
people
Ability to forgive and encourage
Empathy
Remembering ones own childhood
Able to share ones own faith
appropriately
Giving praise and recognition
Challenging young people at the
right time
Respecting the freedom and
conscience of young people
Being optimistic about the
goodness of young people
Managing ones own anger and
enthusiasms according to the
needs of the young
Ability to celebrate life, change
and success
Withdrawing affection when
appropriate
Discerning danger and
opportunities ahead
Creativity in opportunities for
service of others
Being able to ask forgiveness of
young people
Making rules clear and simple and
sticking to them
Recognising young peoples gifts
and drawing them out
Helping to form positive emotional
groupings for vulnerable
young people
PREVENTIVE SYSTEM
St John
Bosco
Saw the work
of education
as a matter of
the heart
Trying to love
young people
for John
Bosco was
the key to the
learning
relationship
A way of
growing for
the pupils
and the
adults that
work with
them
RESPECT
Four things
make this
love
practical
in a school
like St
John
Bosco
RESPECT
UNDERSTANDING
Four things
make this
love
practical
in a school
RESPECT
UNDERSTANDING
AFFECTION
Four things
make this
love
practical
in a school
RESPECT
UNDERSTANDING
AFFECTION
HUMOUR
Four things
make this
love
practical
in a school
RESPECT
UNDERSTANDING
AFFECTION
HUMOUR
The word RUAH is
Hebrew meaning…..
R
U
Breath
Inspiration
Spirit
A
H
Work with the young in a
Salesian style means bringing
respect, understanding
affection and humour
to relationships with pupils and
adults in the school community
Consistency
RESPECT
Remembering
promises
Protecting the
vulnerable
Consistency
Respect
Understanding
Remembering
promises
Challenging
Listening
Compassion
Wisdom
Protecting the
vulnerable
Consistency
Respect
Understanding
Affection
Humour
Remembering
Protecting the
vulnerable
promises
Challenging
forgiveness
Listening
Compassion
Wisdom
warmth
gentleness
Consistency
Fun
Remembering
Smiles
Protecting the
vulnerable
promises
Challenging
forgiveness
Listening
Compassion
Wisdom
warmth
gentleness
RESPECT
UNDERSTANDING
AFFECTION
HUMOUR